Apparatus for feeding tape and projecting images therefrom



July 29, 1930. J. WARD 1,771,499

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING TAPE AND PROJECTING IMAGES THEREFROM Filed March6, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 33 Z IVENTOR BYM YM A ATTORNEYS J. WARD1,771,499 APPARATUS FOR FEEDING TAPE AND PROJECTING IMAGES THEREFROMJuly 29, 1930.

Filed March 6, 1929 ,2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY- INVENTOR\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\N J VIII/Illlfflll'lfl Patented July 29, 1930 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE JOSHUA WARD, 0F ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TOTRANS-LUX DAYLIGHT PICTURE SCREEN CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ACORPORATION OF DELA- WARE APPARATUS FOR FEEDING TAPE AND PROJECTINGIMAGES THEREFROM Application fled March 6, 1929. Serial No. 344,887.

This invention relates to an apparatus for forming images such as stockquotations on a tape and projecting the images on a screen or similardevice.

The embodiment of the invention shown and described herein comprises theusual form of stock ticker from which transparent tape with quotationsprinted by the ticker is fed out with a jerky or pulsating motion whichhas been changed into a relatively steady movement as the tape is beingmagnified by the projector in order to avoid magnifying at the same timethe jerks given the tape by the ticker and thus rendering the quotationsil-' legible.

The tape should glide across the projector shortly after its release bythe ticker and this gliding is preferably accomplished by a separatetakc-up motor which moves the tape at about the same speed it isreleased from'the ticker. Since the ticker is constantly starting andstopping, the ta'ke-up motor should also be ready to start and stopcorrespondingly so as not to overrun the feed of the tape by the ticker,and it has been found that this motor preferably therefore floats in itsoperation. That is, if the ticker slows up the take-up motorslows up andthis slowing up is accomplished by rapidly making and breaking thetake-up motor circuit so that the impulses to run the motor are notcontinuous, which produces the effect of floating. In order to causethis floating action the control for making and breaking the motorcircuit must also float. that is, it must slow the motor down by rapidlyacting to make and break the circuit to the motor. Of course when theticker definitely stops, the motor must stop and that means the controlmust act immediately to break the motor circuit.

A device as above, therefore, requires a sensitive control. In additionthe"--control should operate without injury to the tape or other partsof the apparatus and it should also be simple and not apt to get out oforder but easily repaired, if repair is required. The principal objectsof this invention are to provide a device of the character mentionedwhich shall possess these desired characteristics.

This application is in the nature of an improvement of the device setforth in my co pending application Ser. No. 278,744 filed lay 18, 1928.

Further objects of the invention will more .fully appear from thefollowing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawingsillustrating by way of example the preferred embodiments of theapparatus used in carrying out the method.

In the accompanying drawings, showing by way of example the presentpreferred embodiments of the invention are as follows Fig. 1 is anelevation showing certain parts diagrammatically for clearness;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of parts of the apparatus other than theticker;

Fig. 3 is a detail elevation of the valve control member showing theelectrical contacts in closed position;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the contacts in open positions; and

Fig. 5 is a detail front elevation showing the valve control member andpart of an elec- 11081 circuit, in position with respect to the ape.

Referring to the drawings and particularly Fig. 1, the ticker mechanismis designated as 1 and the projecting device as 2. The ticker recordsimagesstock quotations-on tape and ejects the printed tape with apulsating movement. The ticker here shown is the well known lVesternUnion stock quotation ticker. The frame of the ticker is designated asIt supports a roll of tape 4 which may be made of transparent ortranslucent material. The tape from the roll passes upwardly betweenfeed rolls 5 and 6 from whence it passes over the platen mechanism 7 andbeneath the type wheel 8, which is in contact with the ink roll 9. Thetype wheel 8 carries two rows of printing characters such as letters andfigures respectively and is adapted to come into cooperative positionwith the platen 7 to print the two sets of characters on respectivelyopposite edges of the tape 4. From this position the tape passes over asupport 10 and is formed into a loop 11.

The loop 11 terminates adjacent the edge of the table 12 of theprojector 2, across which the tape passes and then passes downwardly toa take-up device, which is operated to feed the tape 4 across the table12. The forward end of table 12 also provides a suport for the tape inits path of movement rom the ticker to the projection 3315; and thissupport is so positioned as to provide a space in the path of travel ofthe tape for the formation of the loop. The take-up device may be of anysuitable form and in the present embodiment comprises an electric motor14 suitably geared to and driving a wheel 15, between which and theresiliently pressed idle wheel 16 the tape is engaged to be moved in thedirection as indicated. The tape is passed around the idle roll 17 toincrease its peripheral engagement with the wheel 15. This take-up motoris such that it not retarded under control of the ticker feed, it willfeed the tape from the loop faster than it is fed to the loop by theticker when the ticker is running at maximum speed. The projector lampis designated as 18 and the light therefrom is passed through a suitablelens set 19 and thence through the projector table 12 and the lens set20 against a retlecting mirror 21, which is adapted to reflect the lightthrough a translucent pro ecting surface, such as 22, arranged in avertical plane.

A suitable means, such as the -J spring 23, engages the tape adjacentthe end of the projector table 12 contiguous to the loop 11 and isadapted to create sui'licient friction to entirely absorb any pulsationsproduced by the ticker that may not have been absorbed by the loop andsuction means heretofore described; so as to eliminate such pulsationsat the projection axis.

A pneumatic suction plunger valve 2a is provided in the end of a sleevewhich is secured in the end of a pipe 26 leading to an air pump to helater described. The plunger and associated members are positionedintermediate the projector table 12 and the ticker support 10 and ashere shown the lunger lies substantially at the center or lbwermostpoint of the loop 11. In this position the mouth 27 of the plunger is inthe ath of movement of the tape and is closed y the loop 11 in theposition shown in Figs. 1 and 8. but is opened when the loop 11 isshortened as shown in dotted lines in Figs. 4 and 5.

The plunger 21 is seated on a helical spring 28 which in turn seats inthe sleeve 25 adjacent the point where the pipe 26 is attached to thesleeve member. As shown there is a clear passage through the mouth 27,plunger 24, and the sleeve member including spring 28 to the pipe 26through which air passes. In the closed position with the loop lyingover the mouth 27, as shown in Fig. 3, suction from pipe 26 causes theplunger 24 to press downwardly against the spring 28 while when the loop11 is removed and the opening 27 is unclosed, the spring 28 forces theplunger upwardly. The strength of the opening should be such as to bereadily overcome by the amount of suction applied when the tape hasrestricted or entirely closed the mouth of the plunger. The suction,however, should not be sufiiciently great to injure the tape or parts ofthe mechanism associated therewith when the tape has restricted orclosed the mouth.

In its movements the plunger is guided and its travel restrained by afinger 29 attached to the plunger which contacts in the upward travelwith the finger 30 on the sleeve 25 and in its downward travel contactswith the upper edge of the sleeve itself. Electrical contacts 31attached to the plunger and 32 attached to the sleeve form part of anelectrical circuit furnishing current to the take-up motor as more fullydescribed below. These contacts are suitably insulated from the parts towhich they are attached and when the plunger moves it makes and breaksthe electrical circuit mentioned.

heferring more particularly to Fig. 2, the re-ation of the valve controlmember to the take-up motor and suction device is shown. The motor 14 isarranged to be connected to the power line 33 by means of the switch 34and the projector lamp 18 is connected across the lines leading to themotor and bet ween the motor and switch 34. A variable resistance 35 isplaced in one side of the line between the switch and the motor for thepurpose of regulating the speed of the motor. Connected to the powerlines 83 by another switch 36 and lines 37 is a second motor 38 drivingthe air pump 39 which provides suction through the pipe 26 to the sleeveand plunger. The motor 38 is thus arranged to operate continuous ly. Oneside of the circuit passing from the switch 34 to the take-up motor 14passes through contacts 31 and 32 before it passes to the motor itself.Therefore, when these contacts are separated no current passes to thetal-:eup motor and it stops. but when the contacts are together themotor runs. In order to prevent arcing between these contacts acondenser 40 is placed across these contacts.

Operation \Vhen it is desired to operate the device. the ticker 1 isstarted and the switches 34 and 36 are closed. The motor 38 operates thepump 39 to create suction in the line 26 through to the atmosphere. Thetape is approaching but has not reached the mouth 27. The circuit to thetake-up motor 11 is still open as shown at Fig. 1 due to the pressure ofthe spring 28 on the plunger 21. As the tape is ejected from the tickerwith a pulsating motion. it reaches the mouth 27. passes it. then passeson to the table under the J spring 23 and then across the projectionaxis and down to the rolls 15, 16, 17 from which it may be taken up on awind-up reel (not shown). IVhen the tape has either closed the orificeor passed near it as indicated by the dotted line 116 in Fig. 5, so thatthe suction from the line 26 can act on the tape, the tape is pulleddown and with it the plunger 24, and the contacts 31 and make theelectrical circuit leading to the motor 14. The motor starts and pullsthe tape in a gliding motion across the table 152 and past theprojection zone. a

It has been found in practice that the tape normally occupies the dottedline position l1 shown in Fig. 5 under ordinary operation of the tickerand when in this position, the motor 14 is substantially under floatingcontrol. If, while in this normal position, the ticker tends to ejectthe tape faster. the tape momentarily will lie for a longer period overthe orifice 27 and will keep the contacts 31 and 32 closed to operatethe motor 14 to cause a continuous take-up of the tape which willcontinue until approximately the normal position is reached. If theticker ejects tape slower than normally, the tape momentarily rises.followed by the plunger acting under control of the spring 28, thecontacts 31 and 32 separate, the motor 14 stops and the tape is nolonger pulled across the projection table. The motor will remain cut oiluntil the ticker has supplied suflicient tape for the loop to occupy theposition fo'r the contacts to be again made and the motor started tocontinue takinc up the tape.

The plunger 24 with its sleeve and contacts forming a movable valvecontrol member in the path of the tape constitutes a sensitive pneumaticcontrol member which floats and keeps the control take-up motor 14floating to move the tape across the projector. It consists of few partsand these can be readily gotten at for repairs. it repairs arenecessary. The position of the movable member on the opposite side ofthe tape from thaton which the images or printing appear, permits theoperation of the device without danger of blurring the printing.

While I have described my improvements in great detail and with respectto a preferred form thereof, I do not desire to be limited to suchdetails and forms since many changes and modifications may be made andthe invention embodied in widely different forms without departing fromthe spirit and scope thereof in its broader aspects. Hence I desire tocover all modifications. forms and embodiments coming within thelanguage or scope of any one or more of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a device of the character described, the combination with meansfor recording on tape images to be projected, of means for projectingsaid images from said tape, a

take-up motor for moving said tape past the projection axis of saidprojecting means, supporting means for said tape in its path of travelfrom said first means to said projection axis positioned to provide agap between said first means and said projection axis for a loop of saidtape, means adjacent said tape loop comprising a movable member having amouth past which the tape moves, said movable member being responsive tovariations in air pressure at said mouth, an air pump, a conduitconnecting said mouth and said air pump, and operative connectionsbetween said movable member and said take-up motor for controlling themovement of the tape past said projection axis, responsive to themovements of said movable member.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with meansfor recording on tape images to be projected, of'means for projectingsaid images from said tape, a take-' up motor for moving said tape pastthe projection axis of said projecting means, supporting means for saidtape in its path of travel from said first means to said projection axispositioned to provide a gap between said first means and said projectionaxis for a loop of said tape, and pneumatic means comprising a suctionhead member provided with a mouth over which the loop passes, an airconduit communicating with the mouth, an air pump communicating with theconduit for drawing air therethrough and a plunger located in that partof the conduit between the tape and the pump, and operative connectionsbetween said plunger and said take-up motor for controlling the movementof said tape past said projection axis responsive to the movements ofsaid plunger.

'3. In a device of the character described, the combination with meansfor recording on tape images to be projected, of means for projectingsaid images from said tape, a take-up motor for moving said tape pastthe porting means for said tape in its path of travel from said firstmeans to said projection axis positioned to provide a gap between saidfirst means and said projection axis for a loop of said tape, andpneumatic means comprising a suction head member having a movableplunger provided with a mouth over which the loop passes, an air conduitcommunicating with the mouth and plunger, an air pump communicating withthe conduit for reducing the air pressure in said conduit while the loopis in contact with the mouth, said reduction in pressure serving to movesaid plunger, and operative connections between said plunger and saidtake-up motor to control the movement of said tape past said projectionaxis responsive to the movements of said plunger.

4:. In a device of the character described, the combination with meansfor recording on tape images to be projected, of means for projectingsaid images from said tape, a take-up motor for moving said tape pastthe projection axis of said projecting means. supporting means for saidtape in its path of travel from said first means to said projection axispositioned to provide a gap between said first means and said projectionaxis for a loop of said tape, and a suction head member having a movableplunger positioned near the path of said tape. said plunger beingprovided with a mouth over which the loop passes, an air conduitsupporting said plunger. an air pump comn'iunicatiug with the conduitand the plunger. and operative connections between said plunger and saidtake-up motor for controlling the movement of said tape past saidprojection axis rcsponsive to the movements of said plunger.

In a device of the character described, the combination with means forrecording on tape images to be projected. of means for projecting saidimages from said tape, a take-up motor for moving said tape past theprojection axis of said projecting means. supporting means for said tapein its path of travel from said first means to said projection axispositioned to provide a gap between said first means and said projectionaxis for a loop of said tape, an air pump, a suction head comprising twotelescoping members one of which is movable and has a passagetherethrough one end of which is located adjacent the path of movementof the tape and adapted to be closed by the tape loop, a conduitconnecting, the other end of said passage to the air pump whereby whenthe tape closes said passage said movable telescoping member is moved.and operative connections between said movable member and said take-upmotor for controlling the movement of the tape past said projection axisresponsive to the movements of said movable member.

6. In a device of the character described. the combination with meansfor recording on tape images to be projected. of means for projectingsaid in ages from said tape. a take-up motor for moving said tape pastthe projection axis of said projecting means. supporting means for saidtape in its path of travel from said first means to said projection axispositioned to provide a gap between said first means and said projectionaxis for a loop of said tape, and pneumatic control means forcontrolling the movement of said tape past said projection axisincluding a pneumatic head having a valve plunger located adjacent thepath of movement of the tape and having an orifice therethrough adaptedto be closed at one end by the tape loop. an air pump, an air conduitconnecting the other end of the plunger orifice with said air pump,whereby when the tape closes said orifice said valve plunger is moved,and operative connections between said valve plunger and said take-upmotor for controlling the movement of the tape past said projection axisresponsive to the movements oi said plunger.

T. In a device of the character described, the combination with meansfor recording on tape images to be projected. of means for projectingsaid images from said tape. a take-up motor for moving said tape pastthe projection axis of said projecting means, supporting means for saidtape in its path of travel from said first means to said projection axispositioned to provide a gap between said first means and said projectionaxis for a loop of said tape, and air suction control means forcontrolling the moveiutait of said tape past said projection axisincluding an air conduit for communi.catin; with said tape, a suctionpump connected to said conduit. :1 plunger member in said conduitbetween said tape and said suction pump. electrical contacts operativelvrelated to the plunger and adapted to be broken by movement of saidplunger, an elec trical circuit including said contact and said take-upmotor whercby-u 'ion movement of said plunger member the electricalcontact made or broken to control the movement of said take-up motor.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination with meansfor recording on tape images to be projected. of means for projectingsaid images from said tape, a take-up motor for moving said tape pastthe projection axis of said projecting means, supporting means for saidtape in its path of travel from said first means to said pro jectionaxis positioned to provide a gap be tween said first means and saidprojection axis for a loop of said tape. an air conduit, a spring heldplunger having a mouth communicating with said tape at one end of saidconduit, a suction tan at the other end of said conduit. a circuit forsaid take-up motor, contacts on said plunger and conduit for miking andbreaking said circuit to stop and start said take'up motor. said makingand breaking being controlled by the motion of said plunger into and outof said conduit according to the lowered or raised position of saidtape.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

JOSHUA WARD.

